Emma swam up through consciousness and opened her eyes slowly, as they seemed to weigh twice as much as they should.
The light was bright, from fluorescent lights and Emma knew, with some strange instinct, that she was in a hospital.
Her nose itched and when she tried to reach it to scratch the irritation, she found that she couldn't move her hands. She looked down her body towards where they should be and they were strapped up in huge leather restraints.
Emma tried to lift her head, but her neck was also imprisoned with a similar wide restraint.
She blinked a couple of times and tried to clear her throat and then suddenly, she felt desperately nauseous.
'Help! I feel sick -- please, I need help?'
A nurse appeared with a bowl and Emma retched, but little liquid came up. The nurse felt Emma's forehead and then lifted her hospital gown, had a quick look and left her without saying a word.
Emma fell asleep again and when she opened her eyes, she saw James sitting beside her.
'James?' she whispered, 'What's happened?'
James leaned over and stroked Emma's face, kissing her gently on her dry lips. 'My love, you had a little operation to make you perfect for me and when you recover, we'll have so much fun. I love you - be brave, my sweetheart?'
Emma nodded and tried to speak. 'My throat -- it's so dry, do you have any water?'
James had a cup of water with a straw and Emma tried to drink it slowly. She fought the nausea and lay still, breathing deeply and fell asleep again.
She thought she heard James's voice saying, 'Two more days, yes?' and then sank into deep sleep.
Time seemed to pass in odd periods of bright lights and odd sensations. Emma dreamed a lot and at one time, she awoke crying out in pain, but swiftly went back to sleep again.
The next time that she opened her eyes, James was by her side again and her hands were free. Emma tentatively tried to move her head and found that her neck was free as well.
She tried to sit up, but the room seemed to move and so she lay down again.
'What happened?'
'Emma darling, we'll talk about all that's happened on the journey home. Can you walk?'
Emma stood up, her legs didn't feel like her own and her knees seemed to have a life of their own. She swayed and sat on the bed and winced in pain. What on earth had happened?